Coventry University in £160m expansion

THE first details of a £160 million expansion plan have been revealed by Coventry University.

THE first details of a £160 million expansion plan have been revealed by Coventry University.

The development includes a new student union building, new halls of residence, new lecture halls, new car parks and the expansion of the technology park.

The city centre scheme is in its early stages and is a plan for the next 15 years.

Bosses say they want to give the university a better sense of identity, foster enterprise, improve links with businesses, improve services to students and help regenerate the city.

They also want to tackle concerns that the university still has a 1960s feel to it and that the campus has no real heart.

A car park at the junction of Cox Street and Jordan Well is earmarked for a new student union to replace the current one in Priory Street.

University bosses are considering the area around Lower Ford Street in Hillfields and Sky Blue Way for new halls of residence.

They're keen to use the site of the Priory Hall accommodation in Priory Place, city centre, for something else. They say the building is getting old and being next to a busy road and bus station it's a noisy place to live.

Coventry University pro vice chancellor David Soutter said: "Having the right estate is crucial if the university is to continue to be successful.

"The university provides the learning environment in which students from all backgrounds can flourish.

"We have an ambitious agenda which will be achieved through successful partnerships with the city council and other organisations."